Power loadshedding is according to schedule after two days of unscheduled load shedding across Pakistan sans Karachi as temperature is now lower due to scattered rains. Well-informed sources told Business Recorder that electricity peak demand on 4 and 5 July, 2015 (Saturday and Sunday) was around 22000 MW against average generation of 15500MW, indicating a shortfall of 6500MW.
"We did unscheduled load shedding on Saturday and Sunday due to a massive shortfall in demand and generation," said an official of Water and Power Ministry. However, power is being supplied to consumers as per announced schedule of 6 hours in urban and 8-10 hours in rural areas since Monday (yesterday). Official spokesman for Water and Power Ministry told Business Recorder that generation was 16400 MW and 16800 MW on Monday (average generation 15985MW). However, he did not give the demand figure. Insiders claim that demand on Monday was 21000 MW which implies that electricity shortfall was 5000MW. Spokesman argued that around 1500 MW are discos constraints and after excluding this, shortfall will be between 4000 and 4500 MW.
He said, Ministry of Water and Power on Friday last appealed to consumers to adopt electricity conservation measures and minimise usage of air conditioners to avoid forced loadshedding due to increase in demand. He further stated Power sector is already generating record electricity and is managing the demand and supply gap by load shedding schedule of 6 hr Urban, 8 hr rural and 8 hr industrial. During Sehar, Iftar and Traweeh timings most parts of the country are being exempted from load shedding.
Talking to Business Recorder Secretary Ministry of Water and Power Younas Dagha said that situation remained peaceful in the entire country during the last two days despite a severe heatwave. Heatwave in Punjab has claimed lives of dozens of citizens in different cities of the province.